Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Carol Wright

Pianist-composer George Winston founded Dancing Cat Records specifically to feature the slack key guitarists of Hawaii. The slack key style generally involves tuning down the lower strings and assigning the bass line to the thumb while the other fingers pick fancy melodies. Fourteen of the genre's finest players are showcased here, rendering some of the world's prettiest Christmas carols in unique "island" fashion. The lively swing on Ozzie Kotani's "Jingle Bell Rock" provides the perfect spark for making the holidays glow. Moses Kahumoku finds a softer sound with his nylon-string guitar on "Joy to the World"; his variations on this classic theme are truly spectacular. ...

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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
- Carol Wright

Pianist-composer George Winston founded Dancing Cat Records specifically to feature the slack key guitarists of Hawaii. The slack key style generally involves tuning down the lower strings and assigning the bass line to the thumb while the other fingers pick fancy melodies. Fourteen of the genre's finest players are showcased here, rendering some of the world's prettiest Christmas carols in unique "island" fashion. The lively swing on Ozzie Kotani's "Jingle Bell Rock" provides the perfect spark for making the holidays glow. Moses Kahumoku finds a softer sound with his nylon-string guitar on "Joy to the World"; his variations on this classic theme are truly spectacular. Led Kaapana conjures up magical chime effects on "Silver Bells" by striking high harmonic overtones on his strings. Keola Beamer plays a pensive "Away in a Manger" on two overdubbed guitars; his percussive knuckling on the guitar body grants the piece some rhythmic accent. Then there are two native Hawaiian Christmas songs with a lovely hula sway: the instrumental "Mele Kalikimaka la 'Oe" played by George Kua and "My Hawaiian Christmas" sung by Dennis Kamakahi. Probably the juiciest cut of all, though, is the chestnut "Jingle Bells" by Led Kaapana and Bob Brozman; their spontaneous guitar duel is a total delight. Although this music may not conjure much in the way of snowfalls and crystalline nights, it lends plenty of that aloha spirit to the holidays.

All Music Guide
- Steve Leggett

A guitar style featuring open tunings and the frequent use of harmonics, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and dampings, Hawaiian slack key adapts very nicely to traditional holiday favorites like "Jingle Bells," "Silver Bells," and "Winter Wonderland," as this bright, comfortable collection shows. Mostly instrumental, and spotlighting some of the best contemporary slack key players like Ozzie Kotani, Led Kaapana, George Kuo, Cyril Pahinui, and Cindy Combs, among others, Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas also features three vocal selections by Dennis Kamakahi, Leonard Kwan, and Joanie & Ruth Komatsu, respectively. It's a nice mix, with a wonderful and refreshing flow.

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Customer Reviews

Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

A reviewer

You don't need to be in Hawaii to enjoy this outstanding CD. Joyous, soulful and sentimental - everything a Christmas CD should be. The best substitute for making the holidays special and stress free if you can't spend them in the Islands!

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